Deterrent spring clip

ABSTRACT

A clamping plate specifically for use with lever and shackle securing arrangements to prevent relative movement between the lever and shackle unless the plate is fractured by a special tool. The ends of the plate are biased into contact with the elements secured thereby and are positioned to prevent prying off.

I United States Patent 1191 1111 3,870,355

Biscardi 1 1 Mar. 11, 1975 DETERRENT SPRING CLIP 1,930,560 10/1933 Keidel 292/318 2914354 11 19 9 M b 292 [75] Inventor: Charles T. Biscardi, Maple Shade, 5 O erg /307 R NJ. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 7 Assignee: Merit Metal products Corp 564,815 10/1923 France 292/316 Warrington, Pa. Primary E.\'aminerRichard E. Moore [22] Flled' 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Eisenman, Allsopp & [21] App1. N0.: 332,619 Strack [52] US. Cl 292/307 R ABSTRACT [51] I111. Cl. E056 1.9/18 A l i plate specifically for use with lever 1581 held of Search-1" 292/2081 2111 307 307 shackle securing arrangements to prevent relative 292/307 B, 282, 287, 316, 328, 307; 70/50; movement between the lever and shackle unless the 24/265 A1 318 plate is fractured by a special tool. The ends of the plate are biased into contact with the elements se- [56] References cued cured thereby and are positioned to prevent prying UNlTED STATES PATENTS Off.

1,059,171 4/1913 Kurz 292/316 1,831,180 11/1931 Keidel 292 307 B 7 Clams 6 D'awmg F'gmes DETERRENT SPRING CLIP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a locking plate for use in preventing movement between cooperating parts of a fastening structure; more particularly, it relates to a plate element adapted to be sprung into contact with a projecting fastening member or members in order to secure a further member thereto.

2. Description of the Prior Art There are many structures for securing doors, windows, and other covered apertures wherein a sliding, rotating, or otherwise translatable member is positioned over an opening and fastened by some means. The present invention'is concerned with a fastening means of the shackle and hasp or clevis and lever type. For example, one is familiar with the typical hasp which is hinged on one end and projects beyond the opening of a door or other closure member for engagement with a shackle or staple. The shackle may have an aperture therethrough, for the mounting of a padlock, or the like. A somewhat similar fasten-arrangement is provided on railway car plug doors wherein a large rotatable lever member is seated between projecting legs of a shackle in which apertures are provided for the positioning of a pin, wire, or other restraining means in order to prevent rotation of the shackle out of its impeding position so that the lever mechanism can be operated to open the plug doors.

In the past, such fastening elements were commonly secured by means of pins or padlocks. Since these security devices are inadequate to prevent burglaries, it is also quite common to merely employ a wire seal or a condition indicative latch means which does not prevent breaching, but which does offer a visual indication of whether or not the security means have been tampered with. To date, there appears to be no reliable and economical means for securing two such relatively movable members, free from the threat of opening by unauthorized personnel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention discloses herein, concerns the fabrication of a metal plate member operative as a result of inherent resilience to clip or clamp mating members together.

The invention may take a number of forms, each of which exhibits the characteristics of resilience and rigidity such that the elment may be securely seated by the application of appropriate pressure and thereafter be impossible of removal without the use of special tools. This last requirement insures that only authorized personnel will be capable of removing the device and therefore guarantees security.

An object of the present invention is to provide a clamping plate suitable for cooperation with a shackle and hasp configuration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a clamping plate having resilient characteristics which are operative to engage the sides of a shackle in order to prevent removal therefrom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a clamping plate for securing a hasp to a shackle in a manner that cannot be thwarted except by a special tool.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a deterrent spring plate designed to fracture in a particular manner in response to particular forces, in order to effect removal.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a deterrent clamping plate that is economical to manufacture, convenient to install, and reliable in operation.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a locking clamp to be secured to a projecting member of predetermined length and width having substantially flat sides. This clamp comprises a plate having an aperture or notch substantially conformed to said length and width dimensions and inwardly biased ears integral with said plate and extending into the opening of said aperture or notch.

' In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the clamp may be adapted for use with several spacedapart projecting members. In such an instance, apertures or notches are provided for each member and the locking clamp may be nested therebetween.

The attainment of the mentioned objectives and the unique features of this invention, will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of several embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a typical pair of elements of the type which can be secured by the clamping plate of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view ofa clamping plate in accordance with a first illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elements shown in FIG. 1, secured by the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2. FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate further embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For purposes of describing the present invention and illustrating its proper mounting and use, FIG. 1 illustrates a pair of typical cooperating elements of the type securable with this invention. These elements comprise an elongated element 11 and a shackle or clevis element adapted to nestingly receive element 11 and project above it on each side. The second element includes a pair of legs 12 and 13 having apertures 14 and 15, respectively in the region above element 11. It will be immediately recognized that these two elements may be held in position by the provision of a locking pin extending between apertures 14 and 15. They may also be secured in position by the utilization of a padlock or even a strong wire between the holes.

Element 11 is illustrated as a fragment only, and in a particular embodiment was the portion of a lever used for opening plug-type doors on railway cars. These cars have a projecting lever arm adapted to nest within a shackle which is either positioned as shown, or rotated out of the way about a pivot point, not shown. The doors are kept secured by insuring that lever 11 is not removable from its nesting cooperating element.

It is apparent that a similar configuration of elements exists in the typical hasp and shackle coupling wherein the element 11 is in the nature of a hasp hinged on one end. Such hasps are adapted to cooperate with upright elements 12, 13, either in the manner illustrated, or'by fitting over and around one of such elements by means of a slot therethrough.

The present invention, in one preferred form, is manufactured from steel or the like, having a thickness of approximately 60 mils. The steel must be both hard and resilient in order to function in the manner described hereinafter. On the other hand, a range of characteristics will be immediately recognized by those skilled in the art. In one embodiment the plate is fabricated in the annealed condition of Type 1070 spring steel approximately 0.062 inches thick. It is then hardened to Rockwell C in the 4347 range.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the plate 20 may include a large opening 21 at the rear portion, adapted to fit over the extending end of element 11. The size of the opening is such as to permit the entire plate to be positioned in close proximity to the nested portion of element 11. The forward portion of plate 20 is provided with a number of slits or slots in order to define ears 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26. Similar ears are provided on the other side of the plate as illustrated and identified by primed numerals. The ears 23, 24, and 25 in FIG. 2, have been shown with an upward inclination. This initial inclination may, or may not be provided in accordance with the particular strength and resilience characteristics of the material employed and the desires of the element designer. The various ears have a particular function which will best be appreciated by consideration of the assembly perspective presented in FIG. 3.

The assembly of Fig. 3 is achieved by sliding the plate 20 of FIG. 2 over element 11 until it is in proximity to the top of legs l2, 13 of the shackle. The element 20 is then forced downward into tight proximity over the nested element 11. In effecting this position, ears 23, 24, and 25 and corresponding ears, 23, 24, and 25 are forced upward as they ride along the inner surface of legs 12 and 13. The material chosen for element 20 must have sufficient resilience to bias the ears toward their original positions before seating. Thus, these ears are biased into contact with the inner surface of the shackle element. Still further, ears 24 and 24 are axially positioned such that they are aligned with apertures l4 and 15. Consequently, any attempt to remove plate 20 must overcome the digging-in effect of ears 23, 24, and 25 and must also overcome the projecting ears 24 which will engage with the holes 14 and if the plate is elevated. The combined result of these interactions between the shackle and the locking element, guarantees that it cannot be removed. When seated, the plate is preferably forced downward into tight proximity with the surface of element 11. This prevents entry of a wrecking bar or similar tool.

FIG. 3 also illustrates that the remaining ears 22, 22, 26. and 26 are folded down in order to rest against the sides of element 11. In certain constructions and installations, it may be desired to leave these arms in the plane of the element itself. On the other hand, the difficulty of removal is enhanced when they are in this depending position.

In order to remove element 20 a special tool is applied which grasps ears 26, 26', 22, and 22' pulling them upward and toward the center such that the plate is fractured approximately along line 30, or lines 31, 32. The area of these fracture lines may be initially weakened during fabrication of the plate to facilitate the later removal. The particular manner of weakening may include intermittent or continuous scoring, perforating, slotting, crimping, or combinations thereof.

It will be apparent, having understood -the construction and principles of the embodiments thus far described, that additional embodiments utilizing the principles of this invention may be developed. For example, FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 present such additional embodiments.

Element 40 in FIG. 4 is also fabricated from a single sheet of steel. This sheet is folded downward to provide depending edges 44. It is also provided with stamped out or cut portions 42, 42. A portion of the material 43, 43, removed from these portions, is left connected to the body of the element along the edge and may be initially inclined upward. In order to install this clamping plate, the apertures or notches 42, 42' are dimensioned in accordance with the length and width dimensions of the shackle upon which it is to be mounted. The plate is then applied by forcing it downward over this shackle. Although not illustrated in FIG. 4, the inclined portions 43, 43 may be divided into ears of the type discussed in connection with the element 20 of FIG. 2 to achieve the enhanced gripping and locking features available with these ears. It will be appreciated that ears 43, 43 will bear in contact with the inner surface of the shackle legs and will prevent removal in the absence of intentional fracture.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein shackle encircling apertures are provided with biased ears 53, 54, 55, and 56 which completely surround the aperture 52. Here too, these biased ears are out directly out of the single sheet of material forming the element itself. The natural resilience of the material insures that these ears will retain or seek to retain their initial orientation and thus will insure proper locking against the surfaces of the shackle.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. This embodiment partakes of the features illustrated in FIG. 4 and in addition includes the opening 61 for initial mounting over an arm, comparable to that provided with clamping plate 20.

The invention has been described and illustrated in several embodiments. The various modifications and embodiments may be applied, where applicable, in other embodiments and in yet further embodiments that are not specifically illustrated herein. Any modifications coming within the spirit and teachings of this disclosure and embraced within the skill of those in the art, are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A clamping plate to be nestingly secured between two projecting members of predetermined length and breadth which are separated by a predetermined dimension, comprising: a flat sheet of rigid material having a width exceeding said predetermined dimension; a pair of slits on opposing edges of said flat sheet; each pair of slits defining a central ear having a length substantially conformed to the length of one of said projecting members, a first end ear extending past one side of said one projecting member, and a second ear extending past the other side of said one projecting member, the width of said sheet between the slits on the opposing edges, being slightly less than said predetermined distance between said projecting members; said central ears projecting substantially outward from the sides of said flat sheet, being inherently biased by the characteristic of said sheet to retain this orientation, and having transverse slots substantially orthogonal to the opposed faces of said projecting members when said plate is secured thereto; said end ears being deformed in a direction opposite to the projection of said projecting members along bend lines on opposing edges of said sheet which are separated by slightly more than said predetermined distance between said projecting members.

2. A clamping plate to be secured above a longitudinally extending element nested between two projecting members of predetermined length and breadth which are separated by a predetermined dimension, comprising: a flat sheet of rigid material having a width exceeding said predetermined dimension; a pair of slits on opposing edges of said flat sheet; each pair of slits defining a central ear having a length substantially conformed to the length of one of said projecting members, a first end ear extending past one side of said one projecting memher, and a second end ear extending past the other side of said one projecting member, the width of said sheet between the slits on the opposing edges, being slightly less than said predetermined distance between said projecting members; said central ears projecting substantially outwards from the sides of said flat sheet, being inherently biased by the characteristic of said sheet to retain this orientation, and having transverse slots substantially orthogonal to the opposed faces of said projecting members when said plate is secured thereto; and an opening at one end of said sheet of rigid material positioned to encircle said longitudinally extending element when said clamping plate is secured to said projecting members.

3. A clamping plate as defined in claim 1, adapted to fit above an element nested between said projecting members, including an opening at one end positioned to encircle said element when said clamping plate is secured to said projecting members.

4. A clamping plate as defined in claim 3, including a weakness line along the longitudinal axis extending between said opposing edges, whereby said plate may be fractured upon application of pressure on said edges.

5. A clamping plate in accordance with claim 1, wherein said projecting members each have a hole therethrough, said slots defining a segment of width less than the diameter of said hole, whereby said segment will project into said hole when the clamping plate is adjacent thereto.

6-. A clamping plate as defined in claim 2, including a weakness line along the longitudinal axis extending between said opposing edges, whereby said plate may be fractured upon application of pressure on said edges.

- 7. A clamping plate in accordance with claim 2, wherein said projecting members each have a hole therethrough, said slots defining a segment of width less than the diameter of said hole, whereby said segment will project into said hole when the clamping plate is 

1. A clamping plate to be nestingly secured between two projecting members of predetermined length and breadth which are separated by a predetermined dimension, comprising: a flat sheet of rigid material having a width exceeding said predetermined dimension; a pair of slits on opposing edges of said flat sheet; each pair of slits defining a central ear having a length substantially conformed to the length of one of said projecting members, a first end ear extending past one side of said one projecting member, and a second ear extending past the other side of said one projecting member, the width of said sheet between the slits on the opposing edges, being slightly less than said predetermined distance between said projecting members; said central ears projecting substantially outward from the sides of said flat sheet, being inherently biased by the characteristic of said sheet to retain this orientation, and having transverse slots substantially orthogonal to the opposed faces of said projecting members when said plate is secured thereto; said end ears being deformed in a direction opposite to the projection of said projecting members along bend lines on opposing edges of said sheet which are separated by slightly more than said predetermined distance between said projecting members.
 1. A clamping plate to be nestingly secured between two projecting members of predetermined length and breadth which are separated by a predetermined dimension, comprising: a flat sheet of rigid material having a width exceeding said predetermined dimension; a pair of slits on opposing edges of said flat sheet; each pair of slits defining a central ear having a length substantially conformed to the length of one of said projecting members, a first end ear extending past one side of said one projecting member, and a second ear extending past the other side of said one projecting member, the width of said sheet between the slits on the opposing edges, being slightly less than said predetermined distance between said projecting members; said central ears projecting substantially outward from the sides of said flat sheet, being inherently biased by the characteristic of said sheet to retain this orientation, and having transverse slots substantially orthogonal to the opposed faces of said projecting members when said plate is secured thereto; said end ears being deformed in a direction opposite to the projection of said projecting members along bend lines on opposing edges of said sheet which are separated by slightly more than said predetermined distance between said projecting members.
 2. A clamping plate to be secured above a longitudinally extending element nested between two projecting members of predetermined length and breadth which are separated by a predetermined dimension, comprising: a flat sheet of rigid material having a width exceeding said predetermined dimension; a pair of slits on opposing edges of said flat sheet; each pair of slits defining a central ear having a length substantially conformed to the length of one of said projecting members, a first end ear extending past one side of said one projecting member, and a second end ear extending past the other side of said one projecting member, the width of said sheet between the slits on the opposing edges, being slightly less than said predetermined distance between said projecting members; said central ears projecting substantially outwards from the sides of said flat sheet, being inherently biased by the characteristic of said sheet to retain this orientation, and having transverse slots substantially orthogonal to the opposed faces of said projecting members when said plate is secured thereto; and an opening at one end of said sheet of rigid material positioned to encircle said longitudinally extending element when said clamping plate is secured to said prOjecting members.
 3. A clamping plate as defined in claim 1, adapted to fit above an element nested between said projecting members, including an opening at one end positioned to encircle said element when said clamping plate is secured to said projecting members.
 4. A clamping plate as defined in claim 3, including a weakness line along the longitudinal axis extending between said opposing edges, whereby said plate may be fractured upon application of pressure on said edges.
 5. A clamping plate in accordance with claim 1, wherein said projecting members each have a hole therethrough, said slots defining a segment of width less than the diameter of said hole, whereby said segment will project into said hole when the clamping plate is adjacent thereto.
 6. A clamping plate as defined in claim 2, including a weakness line along the longitudinal axis extending between said opposing edges, whereby said plate may be fractured upon application of pressure on said edges. 